Published: December 05, 2006 04:54 pm      

Mine safety: Training, education vital

I recently had the opportunity to attend eight hours of mine emergency response training conducted by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME).

The Mine Emergency Response Drill (MERD) class was coordinated by DMME representatives Wayne Davis and David Elswick and Consol Energy safety representatives C.W. Tolliver and Ray Phillips. Also, a federal inspector, Dale Hess, was in attendance representing Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

The MERD class places company personnel in real-life mine emergency situations and they are required to make decisions pertaining to a mine fire that involves workers underground.

As the event unfolds, company representatives make difficult decisions relating to the safe withdrawal of employees and the necessary steps to reduce or remove any additional threat to the employees and the mine. The solutions are mandated by state and federal regulations and require state and federal agencies notification and involvement just as any true emergency would dictate.

For me, the class was an invaluable decision making lesson in a crisis scenario not encountered in day-to-day mining routine. I recommend this exercise for all coal mine supervisors and all coal mines, large or small.

The year 2006 has witnessed 36 underground fatalities and 10 surface fatalities in the mining industry as recorded by federal agencies. Last year, 22 mining fatalities are on record. This year, 2006, is the worst year since 1995 when 47 miners died in job related accidents. Education and training are the most effective tools to reduce these appalling statistics accumulated by the mining industry, thus the importance of this MERD class.

In the wake of the Sago disaster, I consider myself fortunate to be employed by a company that understands safety is and always should be the primary concern of every employee. Through the diligence of company officials John Zachwieja and Danny Quesenberry, not only are classes like MERD provided, but mine rescue teams are sponsored and supported, safety programs are implemented to encourage workers to perform tasks safely, and equipment, tools, and technology are utilized to provide workers what is necessary to achieve zero accidents in the work place.

I believe that coal mining is subjective and based on every miner’s work experience. Each mine, although similar to other mining ventures, is unique in its inherent mining conditions, engineering design, size, ownership, haulage—the list goes on and on. A safety solution at one mine may not necessarily apply to all mines. Perhaps this is the reason for the disparity of responses and reactions to recent mining disasters.

I would argue that the proposed laws and recently passed laws are reactive and not proactive. Yes, more air supplies, self-contained self rescuers, tracking devices, mine rescue personnel in closer proximity to mines, and quicker reporting of mine emergencies will allow us a greater opportunity to rescue miners should the unthinkable occur.

The true solution is preventing the unthinkable from happening and therefore negating the need for everything just listed. Perhaps there is no failsafe solution to prevent another injury, but by continuing to strive for zero accidents through training and education, a unified effort by all agencies and companies, and employees that would take advantage of training and follow mining laws, we can make this industry the safest in the world and pave the road to zero accidents.

Don V. Hylton

Bluefield, Va.